Milford police nab 72-year-old rapist, murderer

By Cedar Attanasio and Jim Shay

Updated 8:14 pm, Tuesday, December 6, 2016

Photo: Milford Police Department

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Milford police have arrested a 72-year-old New York man wanted to failure to register as a sex offender. Herbert Arnold was wanted by the Broome County. N.Y. sheriff’s office. Police said Arnold was convicted for the rape and murder of a 16-year-old victim. less

Milford police have arrested a 72-year-old New York man wanted to failure to register as a sex offender. Herbert Arnold was wanted by the Broome County. N.Y. sheriff’s office. Police said Arnold was convicted ... more

Photo: Milford Police Department

Milford police nab 72-year-old rapist, murderer

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MILFORD — Police have arrested a New York man with a nightmarish criminal history.

Herbert Arnold, 72, was captured Friday by Milford police on a warrant for “failure to appear” after he was charged with failing to register as a sex offender in his city of residence, Vestel, N.Y.

“He moved within our town, but he never notified us,” Streno said. “We arrested him. He was arraigned and released ... the reason he was wanted now is because he failed to show up for court.”

Arnold was released after his arraignment despite his his past charges his history of fleeing custody, rape, and murder. He was convicted for the rape and murder of a 16-year-old victim in the early 1990s, according to Milford police.

New York records indicate he was also convicted in the fall of 1994 of the 1991 rape of a 23-year-old woman. Police officials in New York confirmed that Arnold was also the man found unfit to stand trial in the rape of a 13-year-old girl and the murder of her and her mother in 1965.

He later escaped from a psychiatric hospital in the summer of 1994, along with reputed Mafia enforcer and fellow murderer John Casablanca.

According to the New York Times, Arnold and Casablanca smuggled a gun into the Mid-Hudson Psychiatric Center in New Hampton, N.Y., and took a staff member hostage to facilitate their escape. They turned themselves in about a week later.

Milford police learned that Arnold was believed to be living in Connecticut, and found his vehicle during a routine police patrol, according to a statement.

Milford police did not respond to a request Tuesday for comment concerning the circumstances and location of Arnold’s arrest.

According to Streno, Arnold could have avoided jail time in the registry case if he had showed up to court.

“Then he left town again and ended up in Connecticut for some reason,” he said. “(Mr. Arnold) may have family down there or his wife may have family (there).”

Arnold was taken to Milford Superior Court on Monday to begin an extradition hearing to be brought back to New York state.